Disc golf course plans progressing, donations still needed

Disc golf is a popular sport that may soon be coming to Manchester!

The planned disc golf course at Chi-Bro Park has been making progress since we last wrote about it in February.

A recent decision by the Manchester Community Schools board of education to allow use of some school property adjacent to the north edge of the park that will allow a better-laid out course has cemented the idea and planning by The Throw Shop in Ypsilanti is under way. Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc, similar to a frisbee, at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf.

Village President Pat Vailliencourt, who has been supporting the Village Parks Commission this winter, has been tireless in seeking financial support for the Chi-Bro Project. This $105,000 “Phase One” project includes not only the Disc Golf Course but also refurbishment of the basketball court at Chi-Bro and creation of a pickleball court for a variety of additional recreational opportunities this summer. In addition, a Phase Two upgrade to the park may be possible if the Parks Commission is successful in applying for a Passport Grant in February 2023.

Vailliencourt has secured funding from 5 Healthy Towns, the Manchester Chicken Broil, Worth Repeating, and Destination Ann Arbor. She’s also hopeful of receiving grants from the Manchester Masons and AES. There are also village funds and Parks’ fund balance to be contributed. Even so, she says, “We are still about $30,000 short of of funding the entire project. We would greatly appreciate any support, no matter the amount.”

Those interested in making a donation of any size to help the park project to completion may contact the villlage office at 734.428.7877 or send a check to PO Box 485, Manchester, MI, 48158 with the notation “Chi-Bro.”

Manchester was extremely fortunate this winter to have received a donation of target baskets from the community of Grass Lake, who had received funding for the equipment from 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, but as it turned out, the community was unable to use them. Matt Pegouskie, Regional Planning Manager for 5 Healthy Towns, asked if any of the other 5HT (Stockbridge, Chelsea, Dexter, or Manchester) were able to use the equipment. And that’s when Manchester decided it was a great time to “jump” into this opportunity.

To sweeten the deal, after learning about the upgrades Sharon Valley Bike Shoppe has begun to stock disc golf equipment and employee Lauren, herself an avid disc golfer, is considering doing classes. So this is definitely the time to get on the bandwagon and learn more about how this popular sport is growing, both locally and worldwide!

There are no other nearby disc golf courses; the closest are Hudson Mills Metropark north of Dexter and Heritage Park north of Adrian, off M-52, so this would be an excellent draw to the community.

Stay tuned for more developments!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.